Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Program Name/Specialization

Developmental Psychology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

First Advisor

Nancy Kocovski

Advisor Role

Co-Supervisor

Second Advisor

Kim Roberts

Advisor Role

Co-Supervisor

Abstract

Childhood and adolescence can be difficult for young people as they navigate a variety of significant transitions. Thus, it is imperative that researchers focus on programs that support children and adolescents during this time. Mindfulness and self-compassion are two such programs that may promote positive youth development. Mindfulness and self-compassion have been explored in the adolescent context, and mindfulness has been explored with young children, however research on self-compassion for children is currently lacking. The present studies were designed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a combined mindfulness + self-compassion program for children and adolescents in the summer camp setting. In Study One, adolescent camp counsellors (n=25) were randomly assigned to one of two training conditions: mindfulness + self-compassion (n=13) or social skills training (n=12). Throughout the summer, counsellors led activities for their campers that related to their respective conditions. It was expected that adolescent camp counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, empathy and sympathy, emotion regulation, authenticity, and life satisfaction, when compared to their control condition (social skills training) counterparts. Additionally, it was expected that adolescents in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater decreases in social anxiety and depression, when compared to participants in the control condition. Results indicated that counsellors in both conditions experienced significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, self-esteem, resilience, emotion regulation, and life satisfaction. Additionally, compared to their control condition counterparts, counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition experienced greater increases in life satisfaction and authenticity, with their increases in resilience approaching statistical significance. Study Two focused on the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for young campers (n=231). It was expected that young campers would experience the same benefits as the aforementioned adolescent camp counsellors. Contrary to hypotheses, campers in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition did not experience greater benefits than their social skills training condition counterparts on any of the assessed outcomes, demonstrating that further research is needed in order to examine the potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for children. Limitations and suggestions for future research are included in the general discussion. The present set of studies expands upon the research on mindfulness and self-compassion, and explores the potential benefits for young children and adolescents innovatively by using active control groups and conducting research in the summer camp setting. Overall, the present set of studies contributes to existing literature that suggests mindfulness and self-compassion promote positive development for adolescents, and illustrates the need for additional research for mindfulness and self-compassion in the context of childhood.

Childhood and adolescence can be difficult for young people as they navigate a variety of significant transitions. Thus, it is imperative that researchers focus on programs that support children and adolescents during this time. Mindfulness and self-compassion are two such programs that may promote positive youth development. Mindfulness and self-compassion have been explored in the adolescent context, and mindfulness has been explored with young children, however research on self-compassion for children is currently lacking. The present studies were designed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of a combined mindfulness + self-compassion program for children and adolescents in the summer camp setting. In Study One, adolescent camp counsellors (n=25) were randomly assigned to one of two training conditions: mindfulness + self-compassion (n=13) or social skills training (n=12). Throughout the summer, counsellors led activities for their campers that related to their respective conditions. It was expected that adolescent camp counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, empathy and sympathy, emotion regulation, authenticity, and life satisfaction, when compared to their control condition (social skills training) counterparts. Additionally, it was expected that adolescents in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition would experience greater decreases in social anxiety and depression, when compared to participants in the control condition. Results indicated that counsellors in both conditions experienced significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, self-esteem, resilience, emotion regulation, and life satisfaction. Additionally, compared to their control condition counterparts, counsellors in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition experienced greater increases in life satisfaction and authenticity, with their increases in resilience approaching statistical significance. Study Two focused on the feasibility, acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for young campers (n=231). It was expected that young campers would experience the same benefits as the aforementioned adolescent camp counsellors. Contrary to hypotheses, campers in the mindfulness + self-compassion condition did not experience greater benefits than their social skills training condition counterparts on any of the assessed outcomes, demonstrating that further research is needed in order to examine the potential benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for children. Limitations and suggestions for future research are included in the general discussion. The present set of studies expands upon the research on mindfulness and self-compassion, and explores the potential benefits for young children and adolescents innovatively by using active control groups and conducting research in the summer camp setting. Overall, the present set of studies contributes to existing literature that suggests mindfulness and self-compassion promote positive development for adolescents, and illustrates the need for additional research for mindfulness and self-compassion in the context of childhood.

Convocation Year

2020

Convocation Season

Spring

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